CAIR-NY Welcomes Settlement in Hillside Islamic Center Lawsuit, Approval of Expansion in North Hempstead

(NEW YORK, NY, 04/16/2026) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the settlement of a lawsuit brought by the Hillside Islamic Center and the Town of North Hempstead’s decision to grant conditional approval for the masjid’s long-delayed expansion. 

SEE: New Hyde Park mosque's expansion plan passes muster with North Hempstead board 

The settlement resolves federal litigation filed after the Town previously denied the Hillside Islamic Center’s expansion proposal, despite findings that the plan met applicable zoning requirements. The resolution includes approval of the project, subject to conditions, and marks a significant step toward addressing concerns raised about the treatment of the Muslim community in the land use process. 

Hillside Islamic Center, a two-story, 5,428-square-foot masjid (mosque) located on Hillside Avenue, regularly accommodates approximately 600 to 700 congregants for Friday prayers. During Ramadan, due to limited space, worshippers have been forced to pray outdoors in a tent to manage overflow. The approved expansion will add a third floor and 63 additional parking spaces to better serve the needs of the growing community. 

The approval is conditional and requires the masjid to submit a revised site plan addressing several requirements, including modifications to parking lot design, traffic flow adjustments, and technical corrections to prior submissions. Additional conditions include restrictions on the use of certain spaces within the building, a prohibition on the use of tents for services, and requirements related to parking management during high-attendance periods such as Friday prayers and Ramadan. 

In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said: 

“We welcome the resolution of this lawsuit and the approval of the Hillside Islamic Center’s expansion, which comes after years of unnecessary delay and obstacles that raised serious concerns about unequal treatment and religious discrimination. No community should be forced to go to court simply to exercise their fundamental right to worship. We encourage all houses of worship to seek legal remedies when faced with unjust opposition to practicing their faith.” 

CAIR-NY noted that the case reflects broader challenges faced by Muslim communities across the country when seeking to establish or expand places of worship, often resulting in unnecessary legal disputes and community harm. 

CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.  

La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.  

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CONTACT  

Afaf Nasher, Esq. CAIR-NY Executive Director, ANasher@cair.com    

CAIR-NY Communications Team, comms@ny.cair.com